Ironton Tribune Monday, October 18, 1948
Former Tanks Enjoyed Their Day Here Sunday
1948 Tanks Reunion
It was “Their Day” and they loved every minute of it.
The Ironton Tanks, the old “Big Red”, the guys who made football history here a quarter century ago, were guests of honor in Ironton Sunday and were once again toasts of the city.
This was the first reunion of the Tanks since the team ended their playing days in the season of 1931. There were more than 40 former Tanks in Ironton Sunday, many of them being here for the first time since they played football for the local pro club.
But none of the Tanks ever forget Ironton, and it is a sure bet that Ironton will never forget the Tanks. The players who once slaughtered the best professional teams in the nation refer to Ironton as “my second home” or “the greatest sports town in the world.”
Even though some of the Tanks live hundreds of miles from this city; they say that never a day goes by but what there is some recollection of the great times and great games which were experienced while those men were members of the Tanks here.
Their day started Sunday morning at 11 o’clock when a breakfast-luncheon was served at the Elks. Next, the group went to Beechwood Park, and in spite of the heavy rains which fell most of the night and all day Sunday, there was a big crowd on hand to cheer them when their names were read by Charley Krell, who made the introductions.
After all the Tanks present had been introduced, Eric Shattuck, a former Tank player, read the list of deceased Tanks as the crowd stood and men bared their heads. That list included “Sonny” Winters, Nate Ball, Harry Pope, Virgil Pope, Clarence Poole, Bill Schachleiter, “Red” Wilson, Bill Friel, Art Hannonds, Raymond “Tubby” Huffman, Al Jolley, Gray Lucas, Dan Mayne and Leonard Williams.
The halftime program at the St. Joe-B.I.S. game was opened by Henry Stanley, city manager, who gave the Tanks an official welcome to the city. The response for the Tanks was given by William A. “Big Bill” Brooks, the player who wore a Tank uniform longer than anyone else. “Short” Davies, great Tank quarterback and coach, also spoke briefly. All the other Tanks chose merely to rise when called upon.
The players were taken to Beechwood Park in new cars furnished by Jack Hayes, who was a hard-working Tank booster for many years.
After the introduction, messages from a number of former Tanks unable to attend the reunion were listed from Dr. Andy Nemecek. Earle “Greasy” Neale, Denny Meyers, “Phoney” Smith, and others.
At 6 p.m., the Tanks players and other guests assembled at the Elks club for a turkey diner, which was complete in every detail. Following the delicious meal, Harold Rolph, a former Tank lineman and former star player at Xavier University, took charge of the program as master of ceremonies.
First to speak briefly was Judge James Collier of common pleas court, who is one of the biggest boosters the Tanks ever had. Mr. Collier admitted that he borrowed $200 to help in the erection of the stadium which now stands in Beechwood Park.
K.V. “Tip” Wood was introduced next, and his address was highlighted by references to the Tanks as the “best chamber of commerce Ironton ever had.” Following the talk by Wood, Jim Welsh, the man who kicked the $2,000 field goal as Portsmouth in 1929, spoke briefly and left immediately on his way back to Louisville.
Lawrence Gallagher, another great friend of the Tanks, said a few words and gave everyone present a souvenir “Tank Reunion” ash tray made at the local Dayton Malleable plant, of which Gallagher is superintendent.
Next introduced was Harry “Doc” Gallagher, a Tank player in the mid-twenties. Rolph then called upon Jimmy Lambert, the Tank manager who was responsible for a great part of the work done in bringing about the first Tank reunion. When Mr. Lambert was introduced, all assembled guests rose to their feet.
Mr. Lambert told of the difficulties in obtaining addresses of some of the Tanks who have not been here for many years, and thanked all those who helped in any way to make the reunion a success. “This is one of the happiest days in my life,” Mr. Lambert said.
Next was Clarke Haney, one of the original Tanks who formed the team in 1919. Richard (Red) Alvin, warden at Ohio Penitentiary and one of the great Tank ends in the late twenties, spoke next and said he had always called Ironton his second home.
Terry Snowday, now a resident of Grosse Point, Mich., was presented next. He introduced his son Terry Jr., and then recalled many of his favorite memories- those of his days with the Tanks. Snowday was on the receiving end of a great Tank passing combination; Davies to Snowday.
Tom Hudson, who was as close to the Tanks as anyone else in Ironton, recalled stories about the team, followed by a short talk by Jimmy Mains, St. Joe coach, who worked in cooperation with the reunion with his football game of Sunday afternoon. Mains presented his guest, T. Lyston Fulz, director of recreation at Boys Industrial School, Lancaster.
Glenn Presnell, who flew to Ironton after his Eastern Kentucky team played a game at Bristol, Va., against Emory & Henry on Saturday, made a few remarks. Dana (Horse) Lough, Shorty Davies and Bill Brooks were then called upon by Rolph, followed by short talks by Francis Hankes, and Ashby Blevins.
Members of the press were then introduced, those being K.J. Barron, Malone Gorman and Jack Corns, Pete Burke, Joe Richardson and Stan Morris.
At that point, Toastmaster Rolph instructed Jimmy Lambert to walk around the room and introduce everyone present, and Jimmy gave a brief sketch about each man at the dinner.
Many of the Tanks who spoke expressed their desire to have a Tank reunion every year, and all were in favor of a huge reunion to be attended by every living Tank player here next year as part of Ironton’s centennial celebration.
The following Tank players, officials and boosters signed the guest book before and after the banquet.
Jolin H. Moore, Toledo, O.; F.H. Hankes, Falls Church, Va., and Ashland; R.W. Alvis, Columbus; George M. Barrron, Ironton; Harry Gallagher, Ironton; Joe Mulbarger, Columbus, O.; Ted McCague, Columbus; George E. Brown, Ironton; William S. Heald, Ironton; Kermit Frecka, Portsmouth, O.; “Hootie” North, Cincinnati; Chet Hanahs, Columbus; Tom Dandelet, Huntington, W. Va.; Terry Snowday, Terry Snowda, Jr., Grosse Point Farms, Mich.; T. C. “Shorty” Davies, Ironton; Robert E. Byrne, Ironton; Ashby Blevins, Ashland; Howell Fritz, Ironton; Glenn Presnell, Ironton and Richmond, Ky.; L. J. Gehrling, Ironton; Clarke Haney, Ironton; Charles Krell, Ashland; J. C. Hayes, Ironton; Phil McBride, Ironton; H. S. Progler, Clarksburg, W. Va.; Carl Welch, Ironton; George Mahl, Ironton; Henry Hall, Ironton; Harold Rolph, Ironton; James Cannon, Ironton; J. S. Beddall, Ironton; Harry Slaughter, Ironton; Virgil Clester, Ironton; R. C. Frecka, Ironton; Tom Hudson, Ironton; Edgar E. Clark, Ironton; Dewey Ferry, Ironton; Vaughan Davies, Ironton; Harry Crawford, Ironton; Theodore Abel, Ironton; Jim Welsh, Louisville, Ky.; Leroy L. Gates, Charleston, W. Va.; William A. Brooks, Ironton; D. L. Freutel, Huntington; Brad Workman, Huntington; Dana G. Lowe, Keyser, W. Va.; Charles E. Mayne, Ironton; Peter A. Burke, Ironton; C. R. Lady, Ashland; J. Benson Davis, Ironton; Bert Cohen, Ironton; L. J. Gallagher, Ironton; Lincoln G. Delong, Athens, O.; Henry D. Shanklin, Ashland; Father Maurice R. Smith, Ironton; Dr. Chester A. Casey, Ironton; David Morgan, Ironton; Harold J. McCarthy, Ironton; Paul C. Hogan, Ironton; James Collier, Ironton; Emerson V. Wood, Ironton; Brook Capper, Ironton; Joe Richardson, Ironton; Wayne Lynd, Ironton; Jack Corns, Ironton; Thomas Triplett, Ironton.
Father Maurice Smith, assistant pastor of St. Joseph’s church, offered the invocation and pronounced benediction.
Further reading on the Ironton Tanks
Remembering the Ironton Tanks: documents the Ironton Tanks wins over the New York Giants and Chicago Bears in 1930. Published in Gridiron Greats Magazine.
Glenn Presnell joins the Ironton Tanks: Newspaper account of Presnell reporting for duty with the Ironton Tanks.
Glenn Presnell: Legendary member of the Ironton Tanks, Presenll became a star in the NFL with the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions. Includes bio, photos and personal interviews with Glenn Presnell.
All photos are the property of Bob Vaughn & may not be reproduced without permission.
Copyright Bob Vaughn 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007. All rights reserved.
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